City of Kiel Fire Department

03/30/2026

Several vegetation fires have already occurred this afternoon in and around the area, keeping emergency crews busy.

Due to the dry conditions, low humidity, and wind, fires are spreading very quickly and are difficult to control. Even a small campfire, burn barrel, brush pile, cigarette, or spark from equipment can quickly lead to a large grass or brush fire.

The Kiel Fire Department is strongly urging everyone to refrain from any outdoor burning until conditions improve.

Please help keep our community safe by avoiding:
• Burning brush or leaves
• Campfires and recreational fires
• Burn barrels
• Parking vehicles or equipment in tall grass
• Using equipment that may create sparks near dry vegetation

03/02/2026

Several of our members recently participated in open water training to strengthen their skills in surface water operations and emergency response.

Training focused on water safety procedures, victim rescue techniques, equipment deployment, and coordinated team operations in open water environments. These scenarios require precision, communication, and confidence—especially when conditions are unpredictable.

Ongoing training like this ensures our department remains prepared to respond effectively to water-related emergencies in our community. We are committed to maintaining a high standard of readiness and continuing to invest time in developing our members’ capabilities.

We appreciate the dedication of those who attended and the continued support from our community that allows us to train at this level.

02/24/2026

Extension cords are helpful, but they are meant for temporary use and not permanent wiring. Improper use can create serious fire hazards in both residential and commercial settings.

Here are a few important safety tips:

• Use cords rated for the job and environment (indoor vs. outdoor)
• Never overload an extension cord or power strip
• Do not run cords under rugs, doors, or through walls or ceilings
• Inspect cords regularly for fraying, damage, or exposed wires
• Plug high-power appliances directly into wall outlets whenever possible
• Keep cords away from heat, moisture, and high-traffic areas

In businesses, make sure cords do not create trip hazards and follow workplace safety standards for temporary power use.

If you notice warm plugs, flickering lights, or damaged cords, unplug them immediately and replace them. Small precautions can prevent electrical fires.

02/20/2026

Congratulations to eight of our members who have successfully completed entry-level Driver Operator training for our ladder truck.

This training focuses on safe apparatus operation, positioning, and the skills needed to operate one of the most important and versatile pieces of equipment in our fleet.

Thank you to our members for their dedication and commitment to continuing education and professional development.

02/17/2026

The City of Kiel Fire Department and Ambulance Service is pleased to announce it has been awarded a $3,000 grant from the Green Bay Packers Foundation to support the purchase of emergency vehicle extrication equipment.

Grant funding will be used to purchase Rescue 42 Telecrib® Struts, a vehicle stabilization system that allows firefighters and paramedics to safely secure vehicles during serious crashes and rescue operations. Proper stabilization is a critical first step in safely removing patients who are trapped following motor vehicle accidents, helping protect both patients and responders during these high-risk incidents.

This grant directly enhances the safety of both our responders and the patients we serve. Having modern, reliable stabilization equipment allows our crews to perform extrications more efficiently and safely during some of the most dangerous incidents we respond to.

The Kiel Fire Department and Ambulance Service responds to a wide range of emergencies throughout the community, including serious traffic crashes that require advanced rescue techniques. Investments in modern equipment ensure our crews are prepared to serve the community safely and effectively.

We extend our sincere appreciation to the Green Bay Packers Foundation for their continued support of public safety organizations and communities across Wisconsin.

01/20/2026

Structure Fire Response - 1/19/2026

Kiel, WI – On January 19th, 2026, at approximately 1437 hours, the Manitowoc County Joint Dispatch Center received a call regarding a fire inside of a pole barn with animals trapped inside, located in the 21000 block of Point Creek Rd in the Town of Schleswig. The Kiel Fire Department was dispatched at 1439 hours and arrived on scene approximately 12 minutes after the time of page.

The first arriving engine found a 40’ by 60’ pole barn with heavy smoke coming from the inside of the structure. Further investigation found a chicken coop, approximately 4’ by 8’, on fire inside of the pole barn. An offensive fire attack was used to extinguish the fire within minutes after arriving on scene. The Kiel Fire Department remained on scene for approximately 1 hour for overhaul efforts. The chicken coop was a total loss, and there was significant smoke and heat damage to property within the shed. The cost of damage to the shed is approximately $15,000. There were no reported injuries as a result of the fire, however, chickens inside the shed were found deceased. Fire officials classified the cause as undetermined due to multiple potential ignition sources, including heating devices and extension cords present in the area.

Due to the initial call reports, cold weather, and size of the structure, mutual aid was requested through the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) Division 128, and the Kiel Fire Department and Ambulance were assisted by the following agencies:

Ada Fire Department
Cleveland Fire Department
Elkhart Lake Fire Department
Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office
New Holstein Fire Department
St. Anna Fire Department
St. Nazianz Fire Department
Valders Fire Department
Wisconsin State Patrol

The Kiel Fire Department would like to remind the public to be cautious when using space heaters and extension cords, and to ensure they are being used as directed by the manufacturer.

Ben Jeanty, MPO/EMT
Public Information Officer
Kiel Fire Department
[email protected]

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01/13/2026

Emergency vs. Non-Emergency Responses

Earlier this month, our department responded to a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm call.

CO alarms can be true emergencies, and we always treat them seriously. In this case, however, several factors allowed us to respond non-emergent:

• Everyone had safely evacuated the building
• No one was experiencing symptoms
• Weather conditions created additional driving hazards

When those conditions exist, running lights and sirens is not always the safest option.

Why don’t fire trucks and ambulances always go emergent?

Emergent driving significantly increases the risk of crashes, injuries, and harm to the public and responders. Using lights and sirens does not guarantee a faster or safer arrival, especially in poor weather or low-risk situations.

Our crews constantly assess:
• Patient and life safety
• Scene conditions
• Road and weather hazards
• Risk versus benefit of emergent driving

The goal is always the same: arrive safely, assess the situation, and protect lives, which includes the safety of the public and our responders.

If you ever see emergency vehicles responding without lights or sirens, it does not mean the call isn’t important. It means a calculated decision was made to reduce risk while still providing service.

Thank you for trusting us to make those decisions and for helping keep our community safe.

01/10/2026

TRAFFIC ALERT 🔔

12:40PM UPDATE:

The roadway is back open

10:25AM UPDATE:

The Kiel Fire Department has been cleared from this incident and will no longer be able to provide traffic updates. Please refer to 511wi.gov or the Manitowoc County Sheriff's Office for updates as to when the roadway will be open. Thank you.

9:10AM UPDATE:

The northbound lanes remain closed. Please follow the detour when traveling in the area. The detour route is attached to this post below and a map has been provided of roadway that is closed. Please refer to 511wi.gov for updates. We anticipate the roadway to be closed for an extended period of time while crews remain to work.

Detour:
HWY 32 WB to HWY M NB to HWY XX WB back to HWY 67

**********

State Highway 57/32 northbound lanes are closed at Little Elkhart Lake Rd due to a traffic incident. Please find an alternative route if navigating through the area. Southbound lanes will remain open.

It is not advised to travel this morning if not necessary due to rapidly deteriorating road conditions. We will update as we can.

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01/05/2026

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Our page is one of the main ways we connect with our community. As we continue to grow and improve this page, we want to be sure we’re sharing content you want to see.

What would you like more of from your fire department?
• Emergency updates
• Training and behind-the-scenes content
• Community events
• Fire safety tips
• Equipment and department news

We’re also curious.... do you prefer still photos or short videos?

Comment below or send us a message and let us know. Your feedback helps us make this page a better resource for everyone.

Thank you for your continued support.

12/25/2025

Today we are proud to unveil the Kiel Fire Department’s new Pierce Velocity pumper, delivered in October 2025. This apparatus is equipped with a Cummins X12 engine producing 500 hp, a Pierce PUC™ midship pump capable of 1500 gpm, a 1000-gallon water, a Husky 3 foam system, Command Zone™ electrical system, independent front suspension and on-board generator. These features will enhance our operational capability and reliability on every call we respond to.

On this Christmas Day, we express our sincere appreciation to our community for your continued support. Your commitment and investment in the safety of our citizens have made this important addition to our fleet possible. This new engine represents more than a piece of equipment... it is a tool that will serve our residents for many years, improving our ability to protect lives and property.

From all of us at the Kiel Fire Department, Merry Christmas and thank you for your trust and support.

12/22/2025